2 minute read
Village People
Saturday, August 13, 2022 at 8:00 p.m.
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Village People is one of the most wellknown disco groups in the world. The group’s music is featured in dozens of major motion pictures, on Broadway, in commercials and in “Village People Party” slot machines. Of course, Y.M.C.A, along with its dance, is played at almost every party, wedding, bar mitzvah, and sporting event in the universe.
The Village People began in 1977 when producer Jacques Morali and his partner Henri Belolo, known collectively as Can’t Stop Productions, needed background singers for the recording of a new album for their hit group the Ritchie Family. Horace Ott, the arranger/conductor who was working with them, suggested Victor Willis, a singer he was working with, who was also performing in the Broadway musical The Wiz at the time. Morali was so impressed with Willis, he approached him about another musical project he and Belolo were planning, which turned out to be Village People. “I had a dream that you sang lead vocals on an album I produced, and it went very, very big,” Morali told Willis. “I have four tracks. I can’t pay you much right now, but if you agree, I’ll make you a star.” Willis agreed, and the rest is history. Those initial four tracks, “San Francisco (You’ve Got Me),” “In Hollywood (Everyone’s a Star),” “Fire Island,” and “Village People,” were recorded by Willis with other professional background singers and released as the debut album “Village People” in 1977. The album quickly climbed to the top of the dance charts and became an international hit.
The original lineup of Village People first appeared with Victor on American Bandstand, and then Casablanca Records and Filmworks, the group’s label, got behind their second album “Macho Man” with full promotion and marketing. Village People became an international phenomenon and quickly followed with their third album, the double-platinum “Cruisin,” which featured the blockbuster “Y.M.C.A.” They embarked on a worldwide tour in 1979 to coincide with the release of their fourth album, “Go West.” The group has received many honors and awards, including the American Music Award for Favorite Musical Group and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. They also made it on the cover of “Rolling Stone” magazine. After the release of “Go West,” Willis exited the group, but returned to the helm in 2017 to lead the Village People in a 40th anniversary tour. With hits like “Macho Man,” “Y.M.C.A.,” “In the Navy,” and “Go West,” the group has sold more than 100 million records worldwide and continues to break records. Backed by a live band, they also continue to thrill concert-goers around the world with their live performances.
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